Being a Wise Consumer

In this district, we do not cross multiply to compare fractions, we do not invert and multiply when dividing fractions, and the alligator does not eat the bigger number. I also discourage counting on fingers. We want kids thinking about and making sense of mathematics, not using "tricks". 

Last week, I attended CAMT (Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching) and learned about some of the latest and greatest things in the world of teaching and learning mathematics. One of my colleagues told me about a session she attended where the presenter shared strategies for teaching multiplication. As I listened to her I was discouraged because some of the strategies that were shared were "tricks".

Pinterest is a great tool! I find so many useful ideas for teaching and learning there. In fact, I created math boards for grade levels and concepts and invited my teachers to pin to them as well, but not everything on Pinterest is good.  There are many tricks and a lot of "fluff". Teachers Pay Teachers is awesome and it has made some teachers millionaires, but unfortunately not everything found there is good for teaching and learning. 

Not everything out there is going to be aligned to the intent of our standards in Texas, nor is it best practice. We as educators have to be a wise consumer and choose things that will challenge students to think and help them make sense of mathematics. We have to think not just about what will help students in the moment but instead what will help them truly understand and also be ready to make connections to future learning. 

Discovering Opportunities for School and Community Partnerships

Our district leadership team has been engaged in digital leadership training for over a year now. Recently, we began reading Eric Sheninger's Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times.  Chapter 11 is about the importance of developing partnerships that enhance the mission and goals of the district and campuses. This week I attended CAMT, Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching, with over thirty of the teachers in the district where Kim Sutton was one of the presenters. We use many of her resources with our students and to the teachers, she's famous! I was so happy to make their day and introduce them to Kim, a truly brilliant mathematical thinker and a great mathematician. They took pictures with her, tweeted them, and posted them on Facebook. The most exciting part is Kim offered to Skype with their classes and do activities, discussions, etc. this year. We are so excited about this "partnership"!